Black Gotham
Story by Kamau Ware
Black Gotham Experience is an immersive multimedia project that celebrates the impact of the African Diaspora on New York City. Black Gotham is a real and imagined place, an expansive public experience that includes walking tours through Manhattan’s Financial District, a developing series of graphic novels, art, food, and entertainment. The heart of this experience are three stories that revisit Manhattan in 1623 and move forward through the next three centuries. These stories are the Other Side of Wall Street, Caesar’s Rebellion, and Citizen Hope. Each story will exist as a walking tour and a photography-based graphic novel.
Other Side of Wall Street kickstarter |
This is one of the only images representing the African Diaspora in 17th century New York.
Sample cell from Other Side of Wall Street. This is Catalina d’Angola.
Consider that a full day photo shoot at Kamau Studios is $880. Now consider the rewards package for a pledge of $500. There’s a lot of additional bonuses for supporting this important artistic and historical endeavor. Please consider supporting our flagship project and the first graphic novel from the series – Other Side of Wall Street.
Backers at this level receive a full day (8 hr.) photo shoot in the studio of Kamau Ware in Red Hook, Brooklyn.
+ an invitation to a special Black Gotham Dinner In New York City planned by “UpSouth” cookbook author Nicole A. Taylor. Dinner will be hosted by recording artist and Grammy-winning songwriter Gordon Chambers;
+ a signed copy of Other Side of Wall Street by Kamau Ware (2017)
+ a signed copy of UpSouth Cookbook by Nicole A. Taylor (October 2015)
+ a signed limited edition 11″x14″ sample page from the Other Side of Wall Street graphic novel
+ a “Thank You” in the printed graphic novel
+ a set of 4 Postcards
+ a Thank You on our web site
This is one of the characters named Caesar in Caesar’s Rebellion.
New York Wild Film Festival
Story by Kamau Ware
INTRO
The New York Wild Film Festival took place this past January and was an amazing experience to photograph. It’s always great to meet friends of friends, so when Festival Founder who is also a friend of a friend, Nancy Rosenthal called me, i was thrilled to hear from her. When she explained the film festival’s theme – “Explore, Discover, Protect” – this project began to really intrigue me.
Kamau Ware (l) and Kenneth Broad (r)
STORY
The New York Wild Film Festival is a 3-day event held at the Explorers Club featuring stories that challenge you to think differently about our impact and relationship with nature. It’s a visual treat that makes you think and feel.
Blair Ryan (L) Peter Nerothin (M) Nancy Rosenthal (R)
The Explorers Club
Being able to meet passionate filmmakers from all over the world who are activists using their films to make a difference was an added bonus. Those kind of experiences stay with you.
Filmmaker Awards
It wasn’t possible to watch all the films but here go a list of those that were taken in and admired for their narrative, message, and cinematography. There are films that were missed sadly but hey… i was working.
- The Ridge by Danny Macaskill
- Delta Down by Pete McBride (another photographer too who also shoots Nikon)
- The Bat Man of Mexico by Tom Mustill (bumped into him while with my film students..small City)
- Damnation by Ben Knight, Travis Rummel, and Matt Steocker
Engaging Films
Cool People
Good Eats
Below are some of the quotes that i collected from the people i met. It was a wonderful environment. If we shoot this event next year, we may do a pre-festival story too. We’ll keep you posted.
Blair & Peter
“I returned home to San Diego after the New York WILD Film Festival motivated and committed to spend more time doing work that matters. Many thanks to New York WILD for the perspective on what matters.”
– Blair Ryan
“This event exceeded our expectations on every level. It was a short trip from San Diego when you consider how much global perspective we gained. It was especially inspiring to meet the film makers, explorers and global activists who are leading the charge in protecting our planet. We look forward to coming back in future years and staying involved with this wonderful community.”
– Peter H. Nerothin
Kelly
“NY Wild Film Festival is a great place to learn about other places, people, customs, and ways of life while also bringing together like-minded and passionate individuals who are striving to make the world a better place.”
– Kelly Thompson
Rose & Fabio
“As avid adventurers on both land and sea the New York Wild Film Festival is an event not to miss. The films both inspire and revive our passions to connect to the wild world and dare to believe in a little magic which has yet to be discovered. “
– Rose Horn & Fabio Peixoto
GALLERY BELOW
To find out more about the New York Wild Film Festival or The Explorers Club, you can check out their web sites.
Sew Fab by Lesley Ware
Story by Kamau Ware ( introducing Rashel Medina)
INTRO
This may sound like an exaggeration but one of the best books i have ever held is Sew Fab by my wife Lesley Ware. It’s been an amazing ride watching her develop as a creative and entrepreneur. When we first met 11 years ago, she stepped into my gallery looking to buy her first piece of original art. Now she’s a published author and we collect art together.
Lesley Ware at McNally Jackson
STORY
All artists and entrepreneurs have to be a little crazy to take risks and leaps. It also requires a great deal of faith and hard work, perhaps more faith than craziness. Lesley and i work together as a creative team and share our dreams and reign each other in when needed. When Lesley had the idea to write a book about sewing four years ago, we were both excited but she exceeded my expectations when it came to her drive. In less than one year she earned the interest of her favorite publisher Laurence King of London, found a cool agent, and had a schedule in place to get all the writing done.
Sew Fab was released in February and the response has been inspiring. My personal favorite is seeing the young fashionistas posing with it on Instragram using the hashtag #sewfab or #sewfabbook. My second favorite is seeing adults who collect this piece as an art book. It’s really something for anyone who is interested in developing their own style. Check out this trailer we did for Lesley to get a feel for the energy it generates.
VIDEO
These photos were taken at the McNally Jackson book signing featured in the video above. There will be more signings and more videos in the future including one at the Brooklyn Museum on May 2nd. If you or someone you know is interested in fashion and doesn’t know how to sew, this is a perfect start.
Brandhyze Stanley
JoJo (L) Marlowe (R) – Lesley Ware’s fashion student
These young fashionistas hosted a party for Lesley in Brooklyn, which was an amazing stylish mix of adults chatting about parenthood and budding creatives making bows, playing games, and eating sweets. My photography student, Rashel Medina, was on deck to run the photo booth. It was a proud moment all around. A fabulous book, party, and the photos turned out great. Looking forward to working with Lesley to make the next dream come true. Stay tuned…
RASHEL MEDINA PHOTOS
The next book signing will be at Brooklyn Museum from 5-7pm for Target First Saturday. It’s a free event. Hope to see you at this amazing historic moment for Lesley and Sew Fab.
Find out more about Sew Fab at lesleyware.com.
You can check out this article to see more of our back story and this link to see our brunch wedding book.